Alternative sources for energy is for sure a hot topic today and as energy prices continue to increase, it’s only getting hotter. So go ahead and look online and you’ll find a pretty much ending supply of articles and information products on the subject. However; there’s just one glaring problem.

That’s that almost without exception, they all focus on just two aspects of alternative sources for energy. Those being solar, and wind energy generation systems. How to design and build them. Where to buy them. Along with general information on them. Wind turbines, and solar panels in all their shapes, and forms.

So is that all there is to alternative sources for energy and “living green” off the grid? Simply hooking yourself up with a nice set of solar panels on your roof or a wind turbine up on a tower, and away you go? The answer to that is that for some folks is.

Now what about thinking “out of the box” though? What about challenging yourself to come up with new systems that can be put to use in your home because after all, if you stop and think about it, we really are only at the dawning age of alternative sources for energy.

What About Hydrogen Gas for Cooking and Heating Your Home?

Take hydrogen gas for instance because it really is some pretty amazing stuff. You can use it for cooking, just as you would with standard gas that you buy off the grid, and you can save it up for heating your home, or a hot water tank. Also best of all, you make it yourself out of ordinary water, and the kicker is it causes “zero pollution” when it’s burned.

Don’t forget that you can also power a generator or fuel cell with this gas too, so it’s easily converted right back to electricity that way. Still more is that because it’s only steam that comes out of the exhaust pipe there aren’t any noxious exhaust issues, so you can run a generator right in your home.

Hydrogen gas is made by splitting water molecules into their separate atoms. Water is composed of 2 hydrogen atoms that are bonded with 1 oxygen atom. So when hydrogen burns, it’s (oxidized) and the only exhaust that’s emitted is steam. You read that right. It’s converted right back into to water.

Furthermore, as alternative sources for energy go, hydrogen gas is one of the easiest to make. Now because it is a flammable gas, there is definitely a number of associated safety issues that need to be addressed but none the less you can make, contain, and burn some today if you want to “see it in action” for yourself.

Simply full a glass with water, add about 4 teaspoons of ordinary table salt, and then plug two wires connected to a 9 volt battery into it. Presto! One wire will begin giving off bubbles of hydrogen gas, and the other wire will be bubbling off oxygen.

To contain them, simply fill a test tube with water, insert it into the glass of water “up-side down” over the wires and as the bubbles drift up into the tube they’ll displace the water until it’s filled with hydrogen, and oxygen gas. Bring it out, touch a match to it, and, “poof”, it burns, and returns back to water.

So hydrogen gas is one more solution to the problem of storing power created by sources of alternative energy. You see, while you may have an abundance of electricity when the sun is shining, or the wind is blowing, just as soon as night falls, and the weather changes, things change.

Put Biodiesel Fuel on Your List of Alternative Sources for Energy

It’s a fact that right now in the area where you live there is a free supply of biodiesel fuel in the form of used cooking oil sitting in a tank behind every restaurant, and fast food business. Now if you live, say in a larger city, this available supply could definitely be substantial.

The deal is though that a lot of folks are catching on to this free supply of oil that can be converted biosiesel fuel to heat homes and power vehicles, but there is a catch. That is that dealing with old used cooking oil is an incredibly grimy task, so a lot of folks try using it, and then quit.

It’s just not something that you would do on the side on a lark. Rather, it takes planning and preparation but once you’ve equipped yourself with the proper means for gathering, transporting and processing used cooking oil into usable biodiesel fuel, you’re set.

Just imagine fueling your car or truck up from your own 500 gallon private tank of carbon friendly biodiesel fuel that cost you a fraction of the price of standard filling station fuel. Also wouldn’t it be nice to heat your home without having to worry about high heating oil costs?

Step one is to start in researching what it takes to clean, purify and blend used restaurant cooking oil into usable biodiesel fuel, by doing some some small batch experiments. Once that’s done and you have thorough understanding of the process, it’s on to step two.

That’s figuring out how to get your hands on a truck or trailer that’s equipped with a large tank and pump, so you can use it to gather and haul your base used oil with. After that’s done, then you can start in processing your product in, say 30 to 50 gallon lots for storage.

Now granted, as far as alternative sources for energy go, this one is messy and by the time you’re fully equipped to process and store biodiesel fuel in large quantities, your going to be out some start up capital as well. Also don’t forget that your vehicle, and heating system also have to be converted to use it.

Just the same though, this stuff can get you off the power grid by powering a diesel generator, it can heat your home, and it can also run your vehicle. So do the math and it’s not hard to see why so many people all over the planet are rolling up their sleeves, gathering this stuff up, and processing it.

The real story about diy solar panels, is that your entire system will be made up of components that you will have to piece together to one degree or another. Now granted diy solar panels aren’t done with duct tape, and coat hanger wire but just the same, unless you buy a complete, brand new, off the shelf solar power system, you’re going to be doing some innovating.

Then there’s always the option of crafting together a solar power system made from used panels, and components that in some cases believe it or not, can be had for free. You see, over time solar panels degrade just like anything else stuck out in the elements, and they end up being discarded. So how degraded are they? As the old saying goes, “one mans trash is another mans treasure”.

Important Tips for DIY Solar Panels

• Rule number one, is to get to know the product line before you shop for anything. Also understand that just because you procure your solar power system in pieces, it’s no guarantee that you will in fact save any money in the long run. Would buying a car one part at a time be any cheaper? Of course not!

• If you’re considering buying used solar cells to fabricate your diy solar panels out of, you need to become familiar with used solar cells in general. What they look like as they degrade, and also how they function. You see, paying 25% of cost for used cells that have 25% of their life left in them is in fact “no savings” at all. You see, it’s a numbers game where the life expectancy of the product is factored against their discounted price, and you have to come out better than simply paying full price for brand new product.

Scouting Out Used Solar Power System Components

• Start learning to think out of the box with regards to how and where you can find discount, or used solar cells, and solar power system components. By now you may have already seen the tips online that suggest that you contact contractors. The problem there, is that’s a “no brainer”, and you’ll probably end up having to take a place in line with everyone else who putting together diy solar panels now. What about setting up a website? What about contacting boat repair shops? What about police auctions?? What about placing adds in local papers. Start brain-storming!!

• Chiropractors get to meet all the people in town with bad backs, so why not start up a little solar power system repair, and installation business on the side. Why you can even offer to replace degraded panels for free, if you get to keep the old ones you’re replacing. Don’t let the fact that you don’t have a contractors license stop you either because you can pick up a handyman license for around $100 tomorrow if you want to.

Be Careful Buying Used Electrical Components Online

• Beware of buying solar power system components online from sources and venues that don’t have a verifiable track record, and reputation. Remember that in the end, they are electrical components, and just like any other types of electrical components, there are always shady folks looking to unload their broken crap on unsuspecting buyers. Always remember that if the deal seems just too good to be true, as the old saying goes, it probably is.

You Can Always Get Bigger and Better

• Another thing to consider is that once complete your diy solar panels, your project is really never completed. Keep in mind that it can always get “bigger and better”, so try to start thinking long term as you plan for your solar power system, and how you are going to acquire what you need to build it. Start networking online with other like minded people who you can share information with because you, and they will both benefit from it.

Why is it that when ever our government leaders talk about solar home power they seem to always be referring to a new national grid system powered by huge public works projects, like wind farms? Are they that far behind the times, or is it that they just don’t want to let the public know the real truth about solar power homes?

The truth, is that for the vast majority of buildings across the planet there is more than enough sunlight hitting their roofs to supply them with all the solar home power they need. All it takes, is for people just like yourself to take the money that you’ve been spending on utility bills, and use it instead to install solar panels for home use to harness it.

Your Initial Steps Towards Solar Home Power

• The very first thing you need to do is to research all the government solar home financial incentives that are available in your area. Now there is a fairly hefty federal tax rebate deal in the U.S., but for the most part, most local solar home incentives tend to be rather tight fisted. (Permit fee waivers, etc.) Just the same, solar home power incentives can add up collectively to real savings that has the potential to quickly add up to thousands of dollars. Also if you live in a county like Sonoma County County, California where the politicians aren’t in the pockets of utility providers, the solar panels for home use incentives can make conversion to a solar home incredibly easy. Now get ready though because while you won’t have to slash your way through a mountain of red tape, they’re terms none the less can be a little on the complicated side. Even so, once you start reading up on what’s available, and start doing the math it will most likely have a direct impact on your solar home power plans.

More Options in Solar Panels for Home Conversion Projects

• Keep an open mind and definitely think out of the box. If you’re like most people for instance, the first item you’re going to gravitate to is standard solar panels for home use. Now this is good because the odds are that you will end up with at least one on your building. But what about solar roof tiles for instance? The fact is that they’ve gone through several advancements that have made them the new shining star of the solar panels for home use products industry. For instance there are now even curved “Spanish style” solar tiles. They’re also more cost effective now as well. Then what about a solar water heating system? For sure if you have a swimming pool, and are currently heating it with a conventional system, something like this should be way up towards the top of your list.

Used Solar Panels for Home Conversion

• What about “used” solar panels for home power conversion? You see, as more people convert to a solar home, increasingly more used panels are created. Some folks just don’t have a lot of room, so they require maximum solar home power from their panels. As soon as they pass their peak performance level, they replace them. What this means is that right now there are used solar panels for home use out there that still have 5 to 8 good years left in them that you can pick up at a discount, and in some cases even for free. After all, after a few years of service your solar home system really is made up of a bunch of used parts anyway.

Solar Power Homes on a Limited Budget

• Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you need a big budget to get started on a solar home. There are loads of “quick fit” solar power home products that you can buy, and install on smaller projects as the money comes available, and it can start with something as basic as a solar outdoor lighting kit. Or, what about a solar power attic fan and while you’re at it, what about blowing some extra insulation up there as well? Then there solar home products like sun powered ceiling fan kits with fan assemblies that cost no more than standard fans. Remember that every dollar invested in solar panels for home use, is just one more dollar you don’t hand over to a utility company.

• Go online and network with other people who have already made the solar home power conversion. You see, there’s no doubt that there will be lessons to be learned along the way. The question is though, do you want to learn them the easy way or the hard way? There are some real clever people out there who have a lot to share, and don’t forget that people have been improvising systems together for their solar power homes for decades now. Join an online solar home forum, or better, yet join a few of them. Another thing you can do while your at it, is to become more more politically active for the the “solar home power” cause. It really is pathetic how our elected officials on both the national, and local level do so little to promote real incentives for their constituents to convert to a solar home.

• How feasible is it?

• Can a wind turbine generate the level of power you need?

• What about costs?

There are two undeniable benefits to building a wind turbine, and the first one is the wind is powerful stuff. Particularly if your home is located in a high wind area, you have ready access to a constant source of some “real energy” that can be converted to electricity.

The second glaring benefit of building a wind turbine, is that wind energy doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. In fact if you take a moment to think about it, nights and cloudy days tend to be times with the wind kicks up. Solar panels work great when the sun is out, but as soon as it sets they shut down.

So Let’s Go Through the Pros and Cons of Building a Wind Turbine

Now the first big benefit weighing in on your side is that the concepts and technologies behind building a wind turbine are pretty basic. In fact if you stop to consider it, people were building working windmills out of wood, and cloth with basic hand tools hundreds of years ago.

In simple terms, what it all boils down to is a propeller attached to a generator that’s sitting up on top of a long pole. At least that’s the most basic concept because of course building a wind turbine today for electricity generation does get far more complex than that.

Another big upside of building a wind turbine, is wind power  has far greater potential if you’re looking for a system you can sell power back to the grid with. Solar systems are just too costly, and there just isn’t the room for the level of innovation that you have with a wind turbine power generation system.

With a solar system you’ll always be limited by the cost of the panels that really only produce around 30% more electricity over their lifetime, compared to simply paying for the power. Then you have to consider that most utility companies only pay a wholesale price for the power you send them.

Finally the all time biggest upside of building  a wind turbine, is that you can do it with used components that that are relatively cheap to buy. The Internet is brimming with stories and testimonials that were writin by tinkerers who did just that.

So now for the downsides of building a wind turbine to generate electricity, and as much as I hate to burst your bubble at this point, there is a good handful of them. The first one is that if you lack the means to fabricate your own system, they tend to be expensive to buy.

Yes there are smaller units that you can pick up for under $2000, but wind to electricity systems this size just won’t produce the amount of power you’ll most likely need. Remember that they also have to be installed, and just like a solar system, they do have a lifespan that has to be factored into the financial equation.

Of course there are always used turbines but keep in mind that being that they’re made up of moving parts that are stuck up in the wind and rain, taking the used route does bring with it a certain element of risk. Remember that you’re looking for solutions, not problems.

Another big downside of building a wind turbine is that you need the tools, the skills, and the facility build it in. Keep in mind that you not only have to build the turbine, but you also have to fabricate, and raise the tower, and most experts will tell you that the tower is 50% of your total cost.

If you’ve been thinking about looking for green energy sources for your home, then you’re on a great start.  Since global warming is on the rise and pollution levels are at an all time high, many people are very concerned about the impact their energy use may be having on the environment.  If you’re one of these people, then you need to be aware of your options.  There are many options for green energy sources and your home.  More on Green Energy Sources and Your Home

Are you aware that you can cut your electricity bill by up to 85% by using green energy for your house?  It’s not that difficult, in fact, the process can be rather easy.  You can save hundreds, or even thousands, per year by using green energy for your home.  Imagine what all you can do with all that money!  You can take that dream vacation, take your kids to Disney World, buy a luxury vehicle, etc.  More on Green Energy Home and Your House

Refer to our website especially for UK home owners on how they can improve the quality of their environment by going green. Not only will you reduce the amount of energy you use, but you’ll save yourself a bundle as well! Check back here for price comparisons on your gas and electricity.